The Yankees scored nine runs in an inning yesterday. It’s HOPE Week, the team has three straight wins and the Yankees are all alone in first place again. Everyone can breathe easy for at least a few more hours. Seems like a good time for some links that have been piling up. We’ll start with this one…

Earlier this week, my old friend Mike Ashmore posted a massive piece about life in the minor leagues. If you’ve been even slightly curious about life in the lower levels, Ashmore’s story goes into the money, the food, the travel and the difficulty of finding a good bat. The post also digs into what makes the Yankees a different sort of organization.

“I think overall, the Yankees just make everything so much better for you,” minor league veteran Richie Robnett said. “Other teams, like the Cubs, if you’re in Double-A, you’re a Tennessee Smokie, that’s what you are. If you’re in Double-A with the A’s, you’re a Midland Rockhound, that’s what you are. When you’re in Double-A with the Yankees, you’re a Yankee. You’re not a Trenton Thunder, you’re a Yankee. If you’re in Triple-A, you’re a Yankee. If you’re in A-Ball, you’re a Yankee. That’s what I like. You’re a part of the organization, and they always want to make it known to you that you represent us.”